Women appearing on new television channel in Egypt to have covered faces in accordance with Islam

Jewish News One reports that a new satellite TV channel is being launched in Egypt. Unlike other channels, the female presenters will all be wearing the niqab, the traditional Muslim face-covering.

The channel is called Maraya, named after one of the prophet Mohammad's wives who was a freed Egyptian Coptic slave. It will start broadcasting on July 20, coinciding with the start of Ramadan. The Maraya program is meant to teach Muslim women more about religion.

The channel significantly reflects the shift countrywide in Egypt since the overthrow of Hosni Mubarak, with the Muslim Brotherhood coming to power and an obvious move towards the attitudes of countries such as Iran where Sharia law is enforced.

Critics and guests appearing on the station will also have to adhere to facial covering or will have their features blurred out technically during the TV broadcast.

About D. Beeksma

One of the growing crowd of American "nones" herself, Deborah is a prolific writer who finds religion, spirituality and the impact of belief (and non-belief) on culture inspiring, fascinating and at times, disturbing. She hosts the God Discussion show and handles the site's technical work. Her education and background is in business, ecommerce and law.